Jumping for Joy

While floating down a stretch of the Snake River in WY we startled this Sandhill Crane who was hidden in the grass on the river bank. They squawked a Sandhill Crane squawk and did a big jump of alarm but given the river was moving us right along they soon had the bank to themselves again.

Oh and you just happened to have your camera all ready for such an occurrence! Amazing shot! There are two pairs of sandhill cranes that live at Reifl Bird Sanctuary near Vancouver and I’ve watched them a lot. Beautiful birds. The sanctuary advises people to keep their distance, but we’ve had them walk within 4 or 5 feet of us. We stood very still, lol.
Alison